Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres prospect Matt Savoie thrilled to return to practice following injury

BUFFALO – As training camp approached, Sabres prospect Matt Savoie looked like a top candidate to fill the open forward spot created by Jack Quinn’s Achilles tendon injury.

Savoie, 19, stood out early in the Prospects Challenge last month, only strengthening the belief he could jump from junior hockey to the NHL.

Then in his first shift of the tournament finale Sept. 18, he injured his right elbow and shoulder trying to break up a ... Read the full article

Prospect Zach Benson’s performance gives Sabres intriguing roster option

BUFFALO – As Sabres prospect Zach Benson quickly became the talk of training camp and began pushing for a roster spot, his exploits hardly surprised center Peyton Krebs.

Krebs, after all, has watched him do it before. Three seasons ago, the Winnipeg Ice expected Benson, then a 15-year-old rookie, would mostly practice when he joined the junior team for its truncated bubble schedule in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Instead, the diminutive winger impressed the Ice so ... Read the full article

After starring role as top center, Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt back in middle

BUFFALO – Through all the adversity he endured early in his career – a demotion, position switch, injuries and more – Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt stayed ready, so when a special opportunity materialized late last season, he seized it.

“That’s easily said, but not often done,” Sabres coach Don Granato said earlier this week in KeyBank Center. “… To stay prepared for your opportunity in life – in this case, hockey – is a trait ... Read the full article

Sabres roster: Brett Murray waived, two prospects sent to Amerks

The Sabres on Wednesday trimmed their roster, waiving winger Brett Murray for the purpose of sending him to the Rochester Americans and assigning forwards Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen to the AHL club.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Murray, 25, could attract interest on the waiver wire, having scored a career-high 23 goals in 71 games for the Amerks last season. His former agent, Jeff Jackson, recently took over as the Edmonton Oilers’ CEO of hockey operations.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons excited for 11th season: ‘Got to see things through’

BUFFALO – When captain Kyle Okposo was contemplating returning for another season, he thought about what it would be like trying to lead the Sabres without Zemgus Girgensons, a popular heart-and-soul veteran.

“I didn’t even want to consider that,” Okposo said following Monday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “That’s how important he is.”

Girgensons’ influence has been a huge factor in the Sabres’ recent transformation into a legitimate playoff contender. The winger’s actions and professionalism ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Ryan Johnson making strong impression: ‘Pretty talented kid’

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Ryan Johnson hadn’t experienced a week of hockey so jam-packed since his days of playing four games in two days at youth tournaments.

Last week, Johnson, 22, played four of the Sabres’ five preseason games, including three in a dizzying four-day stretch.

“I feel like I have not done that before in a long time,” the rookie said with a laugh following Monday’s practice at KeyBank Center. “… I like actually ... Read the full article

Sabres cut roster down again by waiving two defensemen

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday waived defensemen Joseph Cecconi and Jeremy Davies for the purpose of loaning them to the Rochester Americans.

Cecconi, a Youngstown native, played in two preseason games for the Sabres, including Saturday afternoon’s 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Buffalo has 33 players – 20 forwards, 10 defensemen and three goalies – left on its training camp roster.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Benson scores late winner, making push to stay in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Barely a week ago, it felt like Zach Benson might receive a long look during training camp before the Sabres returned him to junior hockey. But four games, two goals and four points later, the prospect is fighting to earn an NHL roster spot.

Benson, 18, enjoyed another terrific outing in Saturday afternoon’s entertaining 4-3 preseason victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets in KeyBank Center, scoring the late power-play winner after the Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres trim roster by loaning goalies to Amerks, pending waivers

BUFFALO – The Sabres on Saturday waived goalies Dustin Tokarski and Devin Cooley for the purpose of loaning them to the AHL.

If they clear, they’ll join the Rochester Americans, who open training camp Monday.

Tokarski and Cooley, both of whom played one period for the Sabres during the preseason, are expected to be the Amerks’ goaltending tandem this season.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Eric Comrie off to strong start, wants to stay with ‘special team’

BUFFALO – Eric Comrie had always battled for an opportunity, yo-yoing between the NHL and minors. So when the Sabres signed the goalie to his first big contract last year, guaranteeing him a spot, the expectations felt unusual.

Comrie, 28, said he put so much pressure on himself “it’s kind of like I hammered myself down.”

“I came here and I had a job, I’m like, ‘Holy smokes, I’m in a whole different spot,’” Comrie ... Read the full article